Etihad Goes to Medina: Etihad Airways Now Flies Direct from Abu Dhabi to the Holy City

  • Publish date: Thursday، 13 November 2025 Reading time: two min read

Etihad expands its Saudi network with new Abu Dhabi–Medina flights, offering smoother travel for pilgrims, tourists, and business travellers.

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Etihad Airways just added another pin to its Saudi map — this time to Medina, one of the Kingdom’s most spiritually significant destinations. The UAE’s national carrier officially launched its direct flights from Abu Dhabi to Medina this week, and guess what? The first flight was fully booked. Clearly, travellers were ready for this one.

Growing Saudi Connections

The new service brings Etihad’s total to 93 weekly flights across five Saudi cities — Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Al Qassim, and now Medina. It’s all part of Etihad’s massive expansion push, which has already added 31 new destinations in the past year.

According to Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves, this route is more than just a flight — it’s a way to “strengthen connectivity between Abu Dhabi and one of our most important markets.”

When and How to Fly

Here’s the schedule if you’re already checking your calendar:

  • EY631 departs Abu Dhabi at 8:55 AM, landing in Medina at 10:50 AM on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

  • EY633 takes off at 2:30 PM, arriving at 4:25 PM on Wednesdays and Fridays.
    Return flights (EY632 and EY634) fly back to Abu Dhabi on the same days.

Currently, Etihad operates five weekly flights using an Airbus A321, with plans to bump that up to six flights later this year.

Stop Over in Abu Dhabi

Flying to Medina also comes with perks. Passengers can enjoy Etihad’s Abu Dhabi Stopover Programme, which offers two free nights in select hotels — perfect for those who want to explore the UAE capital before continuing their journey.

Expanding Horizons

This new route is part of Etihad’s global growth streak. In recent months, the airline has launched flights to Medan, Phnom Penh, Addis Ababa, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Hong Kong, and Tunis — boosting Abu Dhabi’s role as a major global travel hub.

The expansion also lines up with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 — the country’s plan to welcome 150 million visitors a year.

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